He dips a little to meet me eye-to-eye. "Let me help," he whispers, and I can't help that my eyes drop to his lips.
Oh.
I'm in love with this man. If I'd thought my crush in high school was only that, I know that ,in this, moment I'm completely in love with him.
So, I'm quiet as we get ice cream, buying a pint for Lil for when she wakes up, quiet as I watch my high school crush lay mydaughter down for a nap, and quiet when he finally goes to leave and I don't stall again.
And when Micah stares at the door that Trey just walked out of and says, "I like him."
All I can say in response is, "Me too."
Chapter seventeen
Trey
Ihaven't been able to stop thinking about Gareth, Micah, and Lily for a week. No amount of hot yoga, poker nights, meditation, clean eating, or orgasms have been able to quiet my brain at all. I don't want to wait until he gets paid next to see him again. I don't want to only see him again.
I've picked up my phone no less than a hundred times, but I always talk myself out of it. If I text him about anything other than work, it's crossing a line I'm not sure we can come back from. I know he has feelings for me, and I should cut him off the way I did Paul. I just can't bring myself to do it.
It's an easy conversation - one I've had a dozen times. One I've perfected.
"I've enjoyed our time together, but I feel like you've outgrown what my services can provide. It's been an honor working for you, but I'm afraid that if we continue, it'll be holding you back from finding what you truly deserve."
Easy. Elegant. Kind. Compassionate. Leaves no room for argument. When clients go from simply requesting my time to developing feelings for me, it's not even really about me. They'vefound comfort and trust and intimacy, and they want more of that. They want a partner to share those things with. And that's just not me.
But we can be friends, right?
It's Friday. Lindsey should have been taking antibiotics after her urgent care visit. Friends can ask friends about their ex-wives, right?
I groan to myself, knowing that nothing about what I'm feeling for Gareth is remotely friendly. Friends don't think about what it would be like to be a step-dad to their kids.
I internally kick myself, but pick up my phone and fire off a text before I can talk myself out of it.
Me: Me: Lindsey feeling better?
Three bubbles appear instantly.
Gareth: She is. Kind of you to think of her. Thanks again for all your help with the kids last weekend
Me: They're great kids
Gareth: lol I think so too, but I might be biased
I stare at the phone... wondering where the fuck we go from here. Before I can reply, another text comes in.
Gareth: Are you free tonight? I just got off work and was going to shoot you another deposit
Gareth: I know we talked about doing it here, if that's still okay?
God, his vulnerability and eagerness hit me in the chest like a truck.
Me: I'm free tonight
There. Short. Simple. Giving nothing away.
When I get a notification for a deposit, I start to pack my bag.
Me: What time do you want me there?